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Highlights

PIF Castelfidardo / World Music - Italy

by Diatonic News

The PIF-Festival and Competition took place in the home of the accordion "Castelfidardo" from the 9-16th September 2018 and was a special edition Paolo Soprani Tribute celebrating the 100th year of his death in February 2018.

For the diatonic World Music competition, 22 young players and 10 adults were competing for the prestigious 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. For all results please view our results page with full marks from an international jury.

“Le Grand Soufflet” - France

by Diatonic News

3-13 oct 2018

“Le Grand Soufflet” is an international accordion festival. It has been taking place every year in October in the city of Rennes and other different cities of the Ille-et-Vilaine department (French Brittany) since 1996. It is now one of the most important festival dedicated to the instrument. About 15 000 people attend to the festival each year, in 30 to 40 venues, mainly about 120 people venues and about 5 venues around 500 people. The purpose of the festival is to show the modernity and the diversity of accordion (and harmonica in modern style of music such as electronic, punk, rock, experimental... So we already invited some of the most important artists from all over the world representing different styles of music (Brasil, Canada, Argentina, Madagascar, Finland, etc…) but also young promising artists from France and other countries.

New Book: “Accordion Stories from the Heart” by Paul Ramunni - USA

AWW announces the publication of a fascinating new book about the accordion available on September 1, 2018. “Accordion Stories from the Heart: A Collection of Accordions from Around the World and Their Stories, Inspired by the Extraordinary People Who Played Them” (Accordion Stories Volume #1) by Angelo Paul Ramunni

Author Paul Ramunni shares: “The intention in creating this book was to make it a pleasurable, as well as an educational, viewing experience. But in the collecting of the many pictures, stories and in the production of the work itself, something quite unexpected happened.

As you read through the stories and see the various pictures of accordions, a composite mental picture may begin to immerge for you. It is the simple image of an accordionist offering their personal gift of music to the listener(s). This representative picture of how accordion players connected and created lasting relationships with other people is a hallmark of the accordion experience. They offered people their friendship in the form of a musically created greeting card, if you will, one that was personally built and delivered by the player.

As a grandparent these days, I am especially touched when my two beautiful grandsons create or build something themselves and offer it as a gift to me. They make that gift just for me and no one else, and so it becomes very special. As it turns out, that is how many accordion players from the past, and even today, create and deliver their musical gifts to people. It has the effect of bringing folks together and helping relationships grow deeper and stronger. In a sense, it can have the effect of building a bridge between people that, under ordinary circumstances, may have never occurred. It offers a starting point from which a mutually reciprocal relationship can develop and grow.

As of this writing, this is something our society seems to need in great quantities these days. Our country is deeply divided on many social and governing issues. But then again this is not something so new. This was the case often enough in the last 200 plus years of our American history, which coincidentally is at least how long the accordion has been around. I truly believe that during this period, the accordion helped many people come together through the tough times in their lives. Its musical message brought a sense of healing, happiness and unity. I also believe it can continue to do so as we move deeper into the 21st century. I hope we will let it continue to deliver its magic.”

You can order the book from the Amazon website.For further information: Paul Ramunni by phone: 860-833-1374Email: ramunni@comcast.net

Paul Ramunni grew up on Long Island, New York in the 1950’s and 60’s. He graduated from Fairfield University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1970. He went on to earn a Masters Degree in Economics from Fordham University and eventually a second Masters Degree in Accounting from Long Island University in 1976.

In 1978 he became a Certified Public Accountant and started his own public accounting firm in 1982, of which he is still a partner.

It was in 2008 when Paul suddenly (and inexplicably) had the urge to start playing the accordion again. He had taken lessons and played in an accordion band from when he was 10 years old to age 17, but had not touched the accordion since those early days. Once the “bug to play” re-entered his life, he started hunting for old and collectible accordions.

He contacted the Cleveland Accordion Museum and purchased a large portion of their collection and continued to find more units at tag sales and other locations. He then set up “The New England Accordion Connection and Museum Co.” which is currently attached to his home in Canaan, Conn.

Accordion Babes 2019 Pin-Up Calendar and CD - USA

The Accordion Babes Calendar proves that the accordion is sexy with classy old-school pin-ups and an ecclectic CD. The 2019 Accordion Babes Pin-Up Calendar photo by Sean T Vallely.

What is the Accordion Babes Pin-Up Calendar about? Why does it exist? Excerpts from their website: The Accordion Babes Pin-Up Calendar is the brainchild of Renée de la Prada, who was working as a street performer, professional Irish musician and accordion repair technician in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2008 when the first Accordion Babes calendar was produced. Through her job at Smythe’s Accordion Center, and through her gigs with the celtic band Culann’s Hounds, Renée got to meet hundreds of accordionists who travelled through California.

One day, she was invited to do a photoshoot in the San Francisco Mission district by photographer Keith Brown. The resulting photos featured her accordion prominently, and they were sexy and raw and rebellious, very different from the accordion’s reputation as an instrument which is only for grandpas. That’s when the wheels started turning in her head. There was no place to publish these accordion photos, but there should be… wouldn’t it be great if someone published a pin-up calendar with sexy accordion photos? Wouldn’t it be an amazing vehicle for promoting indie artists, if it also came with a compilation CD?

Renée kept this idea in the back of her mind and handed out her business card to dozens of female accordion players whom she met at gigs and at Smythe’s Accordion Center. When she earned the interest of two phenomenal artists, Big Lou the Accordion Princess and Isabel Douglass, she decided to go for it. Who wouldn’t want to be in a calendar with their heroes? Smythe’s Accordion Center agreed to put up some money for an ad in the calendar… and that started a whole path of creating ad spaces, to pay for the print run with sponsorships.

The first editions of the calendar relied heavily on the go-getter nature of all the Accordion Babes, who had to promise to distribute 50 copies, and sell advertising to be participants. Today it’s a little different, the print run is funded with crowdsourcing and pre-sale orders.

Have a look at the link below and if you like it, please help share the link to the indiegogo campaign so enough Money can be raised to print the calendar.

You can also pre-order it here, or preview the other hot accordion photos.... about 300 pre-orders is all what is needed: https://igg.me/at/accordionbabes2019/x/9730983

If you have any questions about the 2018 Calendar’s shipping, or about wholesale orders and price breaks, or for updates and general inquiries:editor@accordionpinupcalendar.com

Festivals, Competitions, Masterclasses/Seminars/Stages, Reports etc.

Manchester Folk Festival - UK

It takes place over one autumn weekend, in and around HOME in Manchester city centre. Over one autumn weekend we present an exhilarating range of events, with the spotlight on English folk.

The whole festival takes place in one area of the city, across several top quality venues. They're all within a few minutes' walk from each other.

This is a festival of discovery. We roots firmly in the traditions of the past, and eyes on the future. The festival will not only bring some of the biggest names in folk to Manchester, but introduce you to your future favourites.​Contemporary folk straddles genres, embraces different cultures and absorbs new influences. Manchester Folk Festival's aim is to profile

the incredible range of great music that is described as folk and bring you the best of the current scene.

Now in its second year, a diverse programme filled with live music, workshops and conversations across the festival weekend. It's a chance to slow down, connect with friends, listen to music, make discoveries.

2018 Portal Irish Music Week (PIMW) - Ireland

by Diatonic News

Portal Irish Music Week 2018. Portal, Arizona.Oct. 4 thru 8, 2018. Travel days are October 3rd and 9th.NOT your average music camp, Portal is a unique combination of intensive, quality time with world-class instructors AND a relaxing retreat in one of the most beautiful and ecologically diverse places on Earth.

Classes emphasize immersion in the music with expert mentoring on technique, style, and musical expression. Small class sizes foster a personal rapport with each instructor. Nightly scheduled sessions and plenty of opportunities for impromptu sessions throughout the week mean you can play as much music as your fingers can stand.

South Louisiana Black Pot Festival - USA

by Diatonic News

The South Louisiana Black Pot Festival & Cookoff is one of the most unique festivals in Louisiana. Held annually at Lafayette’s Acadian Village, the festival celebrates its 13th year this October with two days of great music, dancing, food, camping & jamming. The festival is a cooperative of south Louisiana musicians, artists and southern culture enthusiasts, creating an unprecedented gathering of south Louisiana’s hottest roots bands, as well as a number of groups from all over the country. Live performances range from Cajun & Zydeco, to Creole, Swing, Hot Jazz, Blues, Bluegrass, Americana, Irish & Old-Time. Plus, an old-fashioned black pot cook-off, accordion contest, called square dancing, and ample camping space for tents & RV’s

Shetland Accordion & Fiddle FESTIVAL 2018 - UK

The Shetland Accordion and Fiddle Club promotes the best in traditional Shetland music, holding events throughout the year, as well as the annual Shetland Accordion & Fiddle Festival (SAFF).

https://www.shetlandaccordionandfiddle.com/

2018 The 'American Cajun, Blues & Zydeco Festival' - DE

by Diatonic News

2018 The 'American Cajun, Blues & Zydeco Festival' will be on tour from October 22nd - November 4th 2018

2018 Grammy Nominee 'Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers' will perform at the Festival with his six-piece band. And Roddie Romero will be back. His performance with Yvette Landry and Beau Thomas in 2017 was so succesful that he'll return as 'Roddie Romero feat. Lee Allen Zeno and Jermaine Prejean'. Lee Allen Zeno is the famed bassplayer for Buckwheat Zydeco and Jermaine Prejean is Roddie's drummer in the 'Hub City All Stars'. Roddie is a three times Grammy Nominee. And Blues á Bébé is a tribute from well known Cajunfiddler Johannes Epremian to his Louisiana Cajunfiddler heros Dewey Balfay, Canray Fontenot and Dennis McGhee.

Since 2001 the festival is on the road and 2018 it will tour throughout Germany to bring authentic music from Louisiana to the fans and friends of Cajun, Blues and Zydeco. The festival honors these particular genres from Louisiana with artists from USA and Europe.

Over the last few years a new sound has been gaining momentum here in Europe. More and more bands have been visiting these shores bringing a new sound from over the atlantic ocean. This music is using familiar instruments like guitars, accordions and fiddles played in a way that is fresh and vibrant. Its home is in swamps and prairies of Southwest Louisiana but bands from over the seas are finding a warm welcome in clubs and festivals 3000 miles away from their roots. The music isn’t new of course, its traditions are centuries old but to many people here in Europe it comes like a breath of fresh air. With its driving beat, hearfelt emotions, and trance like melodies it strikes a chord with 21st century ears.

Future events / Concerts

Sharon Shannon concert - FR/Rennes

by Diatonic News

No need to introduce Sharon Shannon as her name is associated with Irish music which it is one of the greatest ambassadors. Not only Accordionist she embodies a whole tradition and her album released in 1991 is still the best-selling album of traditional Irish music in the world. Inhabited by an incredible talent and passion of the music, her style was influences over the many years that she shared on stage with a sensitivity and a conviction by the audience. Sharon Shannon combines and has become her greatest talent.

Melrose Quartet @ Manchester Folk Festival - UK

by Diatonic News

Thursday 18 October, 7.30pm - HOME, Theatre 2

Melrose Quartet are truly an all-round folk act, with both tight a capella harmony and energy-packed instrumentals.

They comprise leading English musicians Nancy Kerr (2015 BBC Folk Singer of the Year), James Fagan, Jess Arrowsmith and Richard Arrowsmith with twin fiddles, guitar and bouzouki, melodeon and four strong voices.

In concert, Melrose Quartet perform a diverse repertoire – carousing chorus songs, lively dance tunes, ancient stories and modern pieces written in celebration of everything from weddings to issues that affect all of our 21st century lives. This is music for everybody.

From deep roots in their hometown’s vibrant music, song and dance scene, to smashing concert appearances in the UK and abroad, Sheffield-based Melrose Quartet have attracted a reputation for making music that truly connects with people.

CD/VIDEO/Book (New/Reviews/Presentations)

Ramiro Boero presenta “Acontece” / Ciclo Bandoneomanía - Argentina

by Diatonic News

Ramiro Boero (Bandoneón)

Guest musicians:Cristian Asato (Piano)Pablo Motta (Double bass)

"Acontece" is a tango record, but it is also a declaration of my love for bandoneon and Brazilian music. As a child, Ramiro Boero lived his life between Buenos Aires and Curitiba. This recording is a vital synthesis: it includes 10 solo bandoneon versions of compositions by Gismonti, Cartola, Jobim, Camargo Mariano, among others.

Boero is part in typical tango orchestras and groups and is the author of "God Hoy", the piece that closes the disc, dedicated to Amilton Godoy of the Zimbo Trio.

FRUTAL, el nuevo disco de Trío MJC - Argentina

by Diatonic News

Composed by Jorge Martínez on piano, Pablo Jaurena in bandoneon and Mauro Ciavattini in winds, the MJC Trio debuted in 2006 at the Cosquín National Folklore Festival after winning the Pre Cosquin contest. With their personal musical vision they transpose a wide spectrum that goes from the tango to the Argentine folklore, with influences of the jazz and the classical music.

The nature of their music has made it possible for them to perform in theaters, auditoriums, festivals and clubs; In areas of folk music, tango, classical music and jazz; And work with singers, musicians, dancers, ballets, orchestras and choirs. In ten years of music, they have toured the most important stages of Argentina and various countries in America and Europe.

They are creators of a symphonic project, with their own works and orchestrations led to the solo trio format and symphonic band, giving concerts in Spain, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina. In 2007 they independently release their first album titled "Arreglos".